People making a difference: Ellington Bell

"I don't have any problems, even with the older boys," Bell says. "I know when a child is asking for help, asking for love. I was there myself. I love these kids, but they know I mean business, too. When I come in fussing, watch out!" Bell can be tough at times, but the students on the drill team respond well to the discipline, focus, and teamwork required.

"I like the joy and excitement of it," says Byron Williams, a third-grade flipper and junior varsity drummer. "When I'm on stage and I see my brother in the audience cheering me on, I get really excited and do my best."

While Bell works with the dancers and flippers in the gym, Keisha Knox, a teacher's aide in the prekindergarten class, works with a group of the younger pompom girls in another part of the building.

In a second-floor classroom, Mick Terrizzi, a seventh-grade teacher, rehearses the drummers. A recent graduate of San Diego State University, Mr. Terrizzi has played the drums professionally with two California bands. He works with 10 of the older boys, teaching them the rudiments of playing the tom, snare, and bass drums. He also writes all the drum music for the group. "It was a real challenge," Terrizzi says. "None of them had ever played an instrument before, so just counting beats was hard at first. But they've picked it up fast, and now some of them are really playing some high-school-level music."

In just eight months, the benefits of the drill team have been felt throughout the school, with its 200 students and 45 teachers and staff. "It's been quite successful," McKeel says. "It has helped not only with discipline and behavior problems, but with academics also. The students know they must do their best work every day and obey the school rules. If they don't, they might be kept from practice that evening. They know if they miss a certain number of practices, they won't be able to perform."

Parents are enthusiastic, too. In fact, the parents of children in other schools in the district have been inquiring about having their children participate in Blenheim’s drill team.

"It's a great program," says Lavita Hawkins, whose third-grade daughter, Lakenda McTye, is a cheerleader. "It's a benefit for a lot of the kids. Not just for my daughter, but for all the kids in school."

As word of the drill team has spread, the school has received donations of drums and cash. A local businessman paid for uniforms for the entire squad. They have performed several times in school. Now properly outfitted, the Blenheim Bulldogs Drill Team is preparing for its first public appearances.

Though the drill team has been a big investment of time and energy, it's well worth it, Bell says. "I had beautiful and wonderful people raise me, like my mother and Mr. Smith," he says. "Now that I'm older, I've got to give it back to somebody. I know what these children are feeling. That's why I stepped in."

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